When To Repair, Resurface or Replace Your Driveway

Damaged pavement can look unappealing, depreciate your home’s value and be costly to fix. It’s important to consider all the options available for fixing this type of damage.

When it comes to your driveway, fixes can be costly and inconvenient. It’s important to understand that not all damage your driveway receives will require a full replacement. Repairing or resurfacing your driveway could save you time and money.

Knowing when to repair, resurface or replace your asphalt will save you from spending too much money on an unnecessary service. Get to know the differences so you know what services your driveway needs in the future.

The biggest reason your driveway may need a tune up is from physical damage. Asphalt can sustain significant damage for several reasons. During the winter months, snow melt and refreezing can cause your driveway to develop cracks. Considering the harsh winters our driveways are exposed to, it’s very likely they will begin to crack over time. Cracking can destroy the value and appearance of your driveway.

Don’t worry though, most of these minor crevasses can be fixed with liquid crack-fillers. These fillers are recommended for repairs on cracks that are small scale, and not too deep. It’s important to repair the crack immediately before it becomes too large for repair.

Driveway repairs are all you need for several small cracks in your driveway. However, once the crack begins to grow too large, the plastic filling will not properly seal the crack.

By repairing cracks early and often you can avoid this type of damage. Repairing a driveway does not provide the same visual appeal of resurfacing, although repairing a driveway is easy and affordable if the option is appropriate. Repairs are normally necessary when resurfacing as well.

If a simple repair does not do the trick, your driveway may need to be resurfaced. Resurfacing is a process in which additional layers of asphalt are added on top of your driveway. The process gives your driveway a brand new appearance and top layer. Resurfacing your driveway is dependent upon the repair process. If there are cracks and holes in your driveway, they will appear upon resurfacing if the asphalt is not properly repaired.

Resurfacing is a great option for individuals with minor cracks to their driveway, provided the base layer of asphalt is still structurally sound. Resurfacing can give your driveway a brand new look, without the cost of a complete replacement.

While resurfacing is a great option for providing your driveway with this new appearance, if the structure of your driveway is not sound, the resurfacing efforts could do more harm than good. When resurfacing it is important to understand the long term difference when compared to replacing.

While resurfacing is a great option for your driveway, it’s not always the best measure. After about 15 years your driveway will naturally lose its structural value. If your driveway is this old, our experts recommend completely replacing the asphalt. Likewise, if your driveway has too many cracks (1/3 of your driveway’s surface area), it may be more efficient to completely replace the asphalt.

Repairs can fix cracks, although they are still costly if your driveway has too much damage. The long term appearance and structural value of your driveway is important to consider. Naturally, asphalt will not look the same after years of consistent use.

Full replacement of your driveway is the best option for large scale restructuring. Your driveway will receive the best results for appearance and structural support, although this option tends to be the most expensive and time consuming.

Sometimes deciding between resurfacing or replacing can be difficult. If your driveway has minor damage, a repair may be the best fix for you. If you want your driveway to have a new appearance without a full replacement, a resurfacing job could do just the trick.

Replacement is the best option for long term success of your driveway especially if your driveway resembles the one pictured above. A trusted expert can normally distinguish between which option is most appropriate for your driveway. Make sure you consider each option when planning your driveway fix.

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Jay Crane
Newtown, CT

I wanted to send you a note to tell you how happy I am whith your work on my project in New Canaan. It was a pleasure to work with a professional company from initial contact to finished product. The price form my job was very reasonable. I will gladly recommend your company to anyone in need to paving.

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I am writing this letter to speak about the magnificent job Greenway Industries performed on my driveway. My driveway has han up to 25 cars parked at one time and also has a circular drive. The driveway was in terrible condition. The Greenway technicians were fast, efficient and very professional during the removal stage and the paving stage.

During removal they were very precise and removed the damaged asphalt right to the exact fraction on an inch to the lawn – the lawn was not harmed in any way. They followed measurements precisely.